Leica Geovid Pro 10x42 AB+

[koshkin]

I've had the Leica Geovid Pro AB+ here since December and have been using it pretty exclusively since then.
I suspect, it will remain my primary binocular at least for this year and quite possibly beyond that.
I finally have a wrap-up video up on Youtube:

and I discussed it in a few livestreams prior to that.
I have not yet had a chance to use it for hunting, but I have used it for a good amount of scouting. I had an aoudad tag for late February, but my dayjob went berserk, so I had to pass on it.
The cliff's notes version is that I am quite impressed with it. Optically, I think it is the best LRF bino on the market today overall, although it is quite close between Leica, Swaro and Zeiss.
AB integration in the Leica is a nice touch, since it works with everything else in the AB ecosystem. I use it with AB's Quantum app quite seamlessly. It also connected to my Kestrel without any issues.
They way they've got data coming out is more hunting oriented, I think. Competition guys would probably lean toward a busier snapshot view. I am sort of ambivalent in this case. For the way, I use them, it does not make any practical difference.
My only real complaint is that I would have probably preferred a 50mm and if Leica really wants to go after the competition crowd, they should really consider a 12x50 version of the Perger prism LRF binocular design. Still, as is it has worked very nicely for me through some impressively rough treatment and of all of the LRF binoculars I have tried, this is definitely the one that produces the least amount of eye fatigue. I can use it for a substantial amount of time through the day without any issues.

ILya

 

[EXSOCAL]

I’ve used mine for nearly 50 days of hunting last fall and PRS / NRL. Absolutely excellent in all ways. Highly recommended.

My only gripe is I wish the return with the AB solution was a bit faster. When you're on the clock it seems like it takes forever, in reality it’s not that bad but it would be nice to have it a little faster.

The glass is second to none and a pleasure to use for days on end. The LRF works well in real world conditions where light fog, precipitation and air particulate are a real thing. I’ve had better returns in ranges with these in poor conditions than by partners who run Kilos and El Ranges. Definitely a pricy tool but worth it if you spend a lot of time on glass and need a reliable LRF / ballistic tool.

 

[koshkin]

I’ve used mine for nearly 50 days of hunting last fall and PRS / NRL. Absolutely excellent in all ways. Highly recommended.

My only gripe is I wish the return with the AB solution was a bit faster. When you're on the clock it seems like it takes forever, in reality it’s not that bad but it would be nice to have it a little faster.

The glass is second to none and a pleasure to use for days on end. The LRF works well in real world conditions where light fog, precipitation and air particulate are a real thing. I’ve had better returns in ranges with these in poor conditions than by partners who run Kilos and El Ranges. Definitely a pricy tool but worth it if you spend a lot of time on glass and need a reliable LRF / ballistic tool.

Faster readout speed is always nice, but I have to admit it has not given me any issues. It takes me a little time to pick up the landmarks, so readout speed has not been an issue.

It is supposed to snow at the hunter match this coming weekend, which should be a good test of inclement weather.

ILya

 

[EXSOCAL]

Faster readout speed is always nice, but I have to admit it has not given me any issues. It takes me a little time to pick up the landmarks, so readout speed has not been an issue.

It is supposed to snow at the hunter match this coming weekend, which should be a good test of inclement weather.

ILya

Yeah, I think it’s a psychological thing that happens when I’m on the clock. Lol. In reality the returns aren’t that bad.

I ran these at the Blue Mountain NRL Hunter match in Oregon a few weeks ago and had no problems. We had some light rain / mist and fog in the mornings. No problems out to 900 ish yards. The DOPE provided through the onboard AB was spot on throughout both days with varying temps and weather conditions.

 

[3rdfocal]

@koshkin I've seen you comment on the 10x50 Razor UHD binos in the past. How do you think these compare optically to the UHD's?

 

[koshkin]

@koshkin I've seen you comment on the 10x50 Razor UHD binos in the past. How do you think these compare optically to the UHD's?

Leica has an edge over the UHD despite having an integrated LRF, but it is not a big edge. I have not compared them in low light, but the gap might close a little there due to Razor’s larger objective.

ILya

 

[koshkin]

Yeah, I think it’s a psychological thing that happens when I’m on the clock. Lol. In reality the returns aren’t that bad.

I ran these at the Blue Mountain NRL Hunter match in Oregon a few weeks ago and had no problems. We had some light rain / mist and fog in the mornings. No problems out to 900 ish yards. The DOPE provided through the onboard AB was spot on throughout both days with varying temps and weather conditions.

Faster readout is always a nice thing, but how big of a difference it makes overall is an open question. For top shooters, it might. For me, shotting NRL Hunter matches, that's the last of my concerns.
For PRS, I do not think it would make a ton of difference, since you are not ranging on the clock.
On the other hand, psychological thing is still a thing. If the perceived delay makes you nervous, that's not great.

For the match this coming weekend, I set up my Impact 4000 on the gun for backup. Even with the WMLRF, I am at around 15lbs, so might as well.

ILya

 

[3rdfocal]

Leica has an edge over the UHD despite having an integrated LRF, but it is not a big edge. I have not compared them in low light, but the gap might close a little there due to Razor’s larger objective.

ILya

I'm going to order a pair tonight. Thanks for the review.

 

[tacoman69]

Leica improving their warranty really makes their RF binos even more attractive. Got a deal on some Geovid Rs for hunting that I'm very pleased with

 

[3rdfocal]

FYSA, if you qualify for discounts on guidefitter, their price on these is very very good.

 

[koshkin]

I think Doug at Cameraland also had an open box model for well under $3k.

 

[scocoabeach]

Thanks for the great review on these. I am torn between these and the updated Sigs. I'd like to have alpha level glass so I'm leaning towards these, but I did notice a thread with some complaints about the UI where some people were switching from these to the Sigs. It would be nice to know if Leica will address this with a firmware update (if it's possible to put more information on the screen at once), but I think I'm favoring the optic quality as I will use these for more than just competition.

 

[Burdy]

I will have to look at one of these. When I compared the Geovid Pro's vs the Swaro's, the Swaros were the clear winner optically.
I have been running the Swaro Range EL 8x42's and despite the technical shortcomings most would find, it has been nothing but spectacular to use in the field. Took it on a successful mule deer hunt in Montana in November where I used it to make my longest shot on game yet.
The size/weight/glass was absolutely perfect for stalking miles deep into the mountains.

My only real gripe on the Swaros is I would like the yardage/DOPE read out at the same time vs alternating and I would like to be able to download the ballistic tables for manual use. Whatever solver they use, is, very good, which is surprising as it does so with much less input and effort than other solvers. I have AB, Chairgun, Gravity and 4DOF but the Swaro read out is always my standard of reference.

 

[3rdfocal]

Mine finally showed up today and I spent about 30 mins outside with them. Took all of 5 mins to get set up/paired. Returning good ballistic solutions that mirror those from the system I have been using for a few years. These are definitely large for 10x42's but fit fine in a couple different bino harnesses I have. Very comfortable to hold, RRS cinch works great. Glass seems very good, laser seems centered in the reticle very well, I'll spend some time with them this weekend to see how they really do.

 

[Earnhardt]

Mine finally showed up today and I spent about 30 mins outside with them. Took all of 5 mins to get set up/paired. Returning good ballistic solutions that mirror those from the system I have been using for a few years. These are definitely large for 10x42's but fit fine in a couple different bino harnesses I have. Very comfortable to hold, RRS cinch works great. Glass seems very good, laser seems centered in the reticle very well, I'll spend some time with them this weekend to see how they really do.

Do you have any of the older Leica models to compare them to?
Thanks

 

[3rdfocal]

Do you have any of the older Leica models to compare them to?
Thanks

I don't, first leica product.